US9499878B2 - Composite briquette for steelmaking or ironmaking furnace charge - Google Patents
Composite briquette for steelmaking or ironmaking furnace charge Download PDFInfo
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- US9499878B2 US9499878B2 US14/289,960 US201414289960A US9499878B2 US 9499878 B2 US9499878 B2 US 9499878B2 US 201414289960 A US201414289960 A US 201414289960A US 9499878 B2 US9499878 B2 US 9499878B2
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Classifications
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- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
- C22B—PRODUCTION AND REFINING OF METALS; PRETREATMENT OF RAW MATERIALS
- C22B9/00—General processes of refining or remelting of metals; Apparatus for electroslag or arc remelting of metals
- C22B9/10—General processes of refining or remelting of metals; Apparatus for electroslag or arc remelting of metals with refining or fluxing agents; Use of materials therefor, e.g. slagging or scorifying agents
- C22B9/103—Methods of introduction of solid or liquid refining or fluxing agents
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- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C10—PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES; TECHNICAL GASES CONTAINING CARBON MONOXIDE; FUELS; LUBRICANTS; PEAT
- C10L—FUELS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NATURAL GAS; SYNTHETIC NATURAL GAS OBTAINED BY PROCESSES NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C10G, C10K; LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS; ADDING MATERIALS TO FUELS OR FIRES TO REDUCE SMOKE OR UNDESIRABLE DEPOSITS OR TO FACILITATE SOOT REMOVAL; FIRELIGHTERS
- C10L5/00—Solid fuels
- C10L5/02—Solid fuels such as briquettes consisting mainly of carbonaceous materials of mineral or non-mineral origin
- C10L5/04—Raw material of mineral origin to be used; Pretreatment thereof
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C10—PETROLEUM, GAS OR COKE INDUSTRIES; TECHNICAL GASES CONTAINING CARBON MONOXIDE; FUELS; LUBRICANTS; PEAT
- C10L—FUELS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NATURAL GAS; SYNTHETIC NATURAL GAS OBTAINED BY PROCESSES NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C10G, C10K; LIQUEFIED PETROLEUM GAS; ADDING MATERIALS TO FUELS OR FIRES TO REDUCE SMOKE OR UNDESIRABLE DEPOSITS OR TO FACILITATE SOOT REMOVAL; FIRELIGHTERS
- C10L5/00—Solid fuels
- C10L5/02—Solid fuels such as briquettes consisting mainly of carbonaceous materials of mineral or non-mineral origin
- C10L5/06—Methods of shaping, e.g. pelletizing or briquetting
- C10L5/10—Methods of shaping, e.g. pelletizing or briquetting with the aid of binders, e.g. pretreated binders
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- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C21—METALLURGY OF IRON
- C21B—MANUFACTURE OF IRON OR STEEL
- C21B13/00—Making spongy iron or liquid steel, by direct processes
- C21B13/0066—Preliminary conditioning of the solid carbonaceous reductant
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C21—METALLURGY OF IRON
- C21B—MANUFACTURE OF IRON OR STEEL
- C21B13/00—Making spongy iron or liquid steel, by direct processes
- C21B13/008—Use of special additives or fluxing agents
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C21—METALLURGY OF IRON
- C21B—MANUFACTURE OF IRON OR STEEL
- C21B5/00—Making pig-iron in the blast furnace
- C21B5/04—Making slag of special composition
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C21—METALLURGY OF IRON
- C21C—PROCESSING OF PIG-IRON, e.g. REFINING, MANUFACTURE OF WROUGHT-IRON OR STEEL; TREATMENT IN MOLTEN STATE OF FERROUS ALLOYS
- C21C5/00—Manufacture of carbon-steel, e.g. plain mild steel, medium carbon steel or cast steel or stainless steel
- C21C5/52—Manufacture of steel in electric furnaces
- C21C5/527—Charging of the electric furnace
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C21—METALLURGY OF IRON
- C21C—PROCESSING OF PIG-IRON, e.g. REFINING, MANUFACTURE OF WROUGHT-IRON OR STEEL; TREATMENT IN MOLTEN STATE OF FERROUS ALLOYS
- C21C5/00—Manufacture of carbon-steel, e.g. plain mild steel, medium carbon steel or cast steel or stainless steel
- C21C5/52—Manufacture of steel in electric furnaces
- C21C5/54—Processes yielding slags of special composition
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C21—METALLURGY OF IRON
- C21C—PROCESSING OF PIG-IRON, e.g. REFINING, MANUFACTURE OF WROUGHT-IRON OR STEEL; TREATMENT IN MOLTEN STATE OF FERROUS ALLOYS
- C21C7/00—Treating molten ferrous alloys, e.g. steel, not covered by groups C21C1/00 - C21C5/00
- C21C7/0025—Adding carbon material
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C21—METALLURGY OF IRON
- C21C—PROCESSING OF PIG-IRON, e.g. REFINING, MANUFACTURE OF WROUGHT-IRON OR STEEL; TREATMENT IN MOLTEN STATE OF FERROUS ALLOYS
- C21C7/00—Treating molten ferrous alloys, e.g. steel, not covered by groups C21C1/00 - C21C5/00
- C21C7/04—Removing impurities by adding a treating agent
- C21C7/06—Deoxidising, e.g. killing
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
- C22B—PRODUCTION AND REFINING OF METALS; PRETREATMENT OF RAW MATERIALS
- C22B1/00—Preliminary treatment of ores or scrap
- C22B1/14—Agglomerating; Briquetting; Binding; Granulating
- C22B1/24—Binding; Briquetting ; Granulating
- C22B1/242—Binding; Briquetting ; Granulating with binders
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
- C22B—PRODUCTION AND REFINING OF METALS; PRETREATMENT OF RAW MATERIALS
- C22B1/00—Preliminary treatment of ores or scrap
- C22B1/14—Agglomerating; Briquetting; Binding; Granulating
- C22B1/24—Binding; Briquetting ; Granulating
- C22B1/242—Binding; Briquetting ; Granulating with binders
- C22B1/244—Binding; Briquetting ; Granulating with binders organic
- C22B1/245—Binding; Briquetting ; Granulating with binders organic with carbonaceous material for the production of coked agglomerates
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- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C21—METALLURGY OF IRON
- C21C—PROCESSING OF PIG-IRON, e.g. REFINING, MANUFACTURE OF WROUGHT-IRON OR STEEL; TREATMENT IN MOLTEN STATE OF FERROUS ALLOYS
- C21C7/00—Treating molten ferrous alloys, e.g. steel, not covered by groups C21C1/00 - C21C5/00
- C21C7/0056—Treating molten ferrous alloys, e.g. steel, not covered by groups C21C1/00 - C21C5/00 using cored wires
- C21C2007/0062—Treating molten ferrous alloys, e.g. steel, not covered by groups C21C1/00 - C21C5/00 using cored wires with introduction of alloying or treating agents under a compacted form different from a wire, e.g. briquette, pellet
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
- Y02P10/00—Technologies related to metal processing
- Y02P10/20—Recycling
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- Y02P10/216—
Definitions
- the present invention relates generally to ferrous metallurgy and in particular, to a composite briquette for a steelmaking or ironmaking furnace charge.
- an electric furnace charge is typically made from scrap metal, carbon and fluxes such as lime and/or dolime, all in pieces having a minimum size of 0.5 inch.
- Improvements are generally desired. It is therefore an object at least to provide a novel composite briquette for steelmaking or ironmaking furnace charge.
- a composite briquette for addition to the charge in a steelmaking or ironmaking furnace, the briquette comprising: a quantity of carbon fines; a material in powdered form, the material selected from the group consisting of iron powder and iron oxide, the material densifying the briquette and suppressing the slippery nature of the carbon fines; a quantity of magnesium carbonate; and a binder.
- the briquette may comprise from 1 to 10% by weight of the binder.
- the briquette may further comprise one or more selected from the group consisting of: limestone, lime, dolomite, and dolime.
- the binder may comprise molasses and lime. 50% of the total briquette weight may be carbon fines, 25% of the total briquette weight may be iron powder, and the remainder of the total briquette weight, apart from the binder, may be magnesium carbonate and one or more selected from the group consisting of: limestone, lime, dolomite, and dolime.
- the furnace may be an electric arc furnace, a basic oxygen furnace, or a blast furnace.
- a method of improving the slag-covered charge in a steelmaking or ironmaking furnace comprising: making a mixture of: a quantity of carbon fines, a material in powdered form selected from the group consisting of iron powder and iron oxide, the material densifying the briquette and suppressing the slippery nature of the carbon fines, a quantity of magnesium carbonate, and a binder; compressing a portion of said mixture in a suitable mold to make a briquette; and introducing said briquette to the charge below the slag in the steelmaking or ironmaking furnace so that said material in powdered form contained in the briquette will cause the same to sink into the charge.
- the mixture may comprise from 1 to 10% by weight of the binder.
- the mixture may further comprise one or more selected from the group consisting of: limestone, lime, dolomite, and dolime.
- the binder may comprise molasses and lime. 50% of the total briquette weight may be carbon fines, 25% of the total briquette weight may be iron powder, and the remainder of the total briquette weight, apart from the binder, may be magnesium carbonate and one or more selected from the group consisting of: limestone, lime, dolomite, and dolime.
- the material may be iron powder, whereby upon introducing the briquette to the charge, CO 2 is generated such that the CO 2 foams the slag from underneath.
- the material may be iron oxide, whereby upon introducing the briquette to the charge, caloric heat is added thereto while iron and CO 2 are generated, such that the CO 2 foams the slag from underneath.
- the furnace may be an electric arc furnace, a basic oxygen furnace, or a blast furnace.
- a composite briquette for addition to the charge in a steelmaking or ironmaking furnace, the briquette comprising: at least 70% magnesium carbonate; and a binder.
- the briquette may comprise from 1 to 20% by weight of the binder.
- the binder may comprise molasses and lime.
- the briquette, after calcining, may further comprise one or more substances selected from the group consisting of: CaO, Al 2 O 3 , SiO 2 , and Fe 2 O 3 .
- the briquette may comprise about 90% by weight magnesium carbonate and about 10% by weight of the binder.
- the furnace may be an electric arc furnace, a basic oxygen furnace, or a blast furnace.
- a method of improving the slag-covered charge in a steelmaking or ironmaking furnace comprising: introducing a quantity of magnesium carbonate to the charge below the slag in the steelmaking or ironmaking furnace, whereby upon introducing the quantity of magnesium carbonate to the charge, CO 2 is generated, such that the CO 2 foams the slag from underneath.
- the quantity of magnesium carbonate may be a powderized mixture.
- the powderized mixture after calcining, may further comprise one or more substances selected from the group consisting of: CaO, Al 2 O 3 , SiO 2 , and Fe 2 O 3 .
- the quantity of magnesium carbonate may be combined with a binder, and the method may further comprise: prior to said introducing, compressing said quantity of magnesium carbonate and said binder in a suitable mold to make a briquette, wherein said introducing comprises introducing said briquette to the charge below the slag in the steelmaking or ironmaking furnace.
- the briquette may comprise about 90% by weight magnesium carbonate and about 10% by weight of the binder.
- the briquette, after calcining, may further comprise one or more substances selected from the group consisting of: CaO, Al 2 O 3 , SiO 2 , and Fe 2 O 3 .
- the binder may comprise molasses and lime.
- the furnace may be an electric arc furnace, a basic oxygen furnace, or a blast furnace.
- the following is directed to a composite briquette for addition to the charge in a steelmaking or ironmaking furnace, and which comprises magnesium carbonate (MgCO 3 ).
- Magnesium carbonate is known to thermally decompose at a lower temperature than dolomite (CaMg(CO 3 ) 2 ) and limestone (CaCO 3 ).
- MgCO 3 thermally decomposes into magnesium oxide (MgO) and carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) at about 402° C.
- CaMg(CO 3 ) 2 and CaCO 3 each thermally decompose into their constituent oxides at about 730° C. and about 825° C., respectively.
- magnesium carbonate thermally decomposes more quickly, and more readily, than limestone or dolomite.
- Table 1 shows a non-limiting example of a mixture from which a suitable briquette can be fashioned:
- the ingredients may be combined with a suitable binder, such as for example industrial molasses and powdered lime, and the binder may make up 1 to 20%, or more, of the total weight of the briquette.
- a suitable binder such as for example industrial molasses and powdered lime
- Table 1 specifies powdered iron.
- this teaching is not intended to be restrictive, as it is possible to use one or more of iron, iron oxide, chromium, chromium oxide, nickel, and nickel oxide to achieve the same effect. If iron oxide is used, the reaction products will be iron and CO 2 gas, as well as caloric heat that results from burning of the iron oxide. The iron will revert to the bath, thus increasing its yield.
- the magnesium carbonate could be combined with limestone and/or dolomite, each of which will produce CO 2 gas with the same effect as above. Dolime, lime, and/or magnesium oxide may also be included.
- the ironmaking furnace may be, for example, a blast furnace.
- the steelmaking furnace may be, for example, an electric arc furnace, a basic oxygen furnace, and the like.
- the briquette is added to the charge in a steelmaking or ironmaking furnace, in such a manner that it is immersed within the charge.
- the briquette dissolves and reacts with the contents of the charge.
- the powdered iron reverts to the bath, thus increasing its yield.
- the magnesium carbonate thermally decomposes into magnesium oxide (MgO) and carbon dioxide (CO 2 ).
- the magnesium oxide (MgO) produced is absorbed by the slag.
- the CO 2 produced has the effect of foaming the slag from underneath, as the location where the CO 2 is generated is buried within the charge.
- the low decomposition temperature of magnesium carbonate advantageously allows the slag thickness to be increased more rapidly than, and with less energy consumption than, other substances such as limestone, dolomite, and the like.
- the rapid formation of a thick slag decreases the amount of oxidation of iron in the bath, which improves of the yield of the reaction.
- the steelmaking furnace is an electric arc furnace
- the increased thickness of the slag advantageously causes the arc to be more localized within the bath and under the slag, which improves efficiency of the electric arc furnace and thereby allows melt times to be shortened.
- the accompanying production of CO 2 gas that occurs upon decomposition of magnesium carbonate causes bubbling under the surface of the bath, which advantageously causes mixing and improves the quality of the slag, and namely the foaminess, consistency and stability of the slag.
- the addition of MgO to the slag advantageously results in formation of a protective layer of MgO on the walls of the furnace.
- the slag contacts the wall surfaces of the furnace and deposits a layer of MgO thereon.
- a new protective refractory coating is automatically deposited on the walls of the furnace with each use, which eliminates the need for separate application of a protective wall coating that would otherwise form part of routine furnace maintenance.
- the briquette is not limited to the composition described above, and in other embodiments, the briquette may alternatively have other compositions.
- magnesium carbonate may be added to the charge of a steelmaking or ironmaking furnace for improving the quality of the slag.
- powdered magnesium carbonate ore may be combined with a suitable binder, such as for example industrial molasses and powdered lime, and compressed in a suitable mold to make a briquette.
- a suitable binder such as for example industrial molasses and powdered lime
- the binder may make up 1 to 20%, or more, of the total weight of the briquette.
- the magnesium carbonate could be combined with one or more other substances.
- Such substances may comprise, for example, limestone and/or dolomite, each of which will produce CO 2 gas upon decomposition, and/or any of dolime, lime, and magnesium oxide. Still other substances may be combined with the magnesium carbonate.
- the ironmaking furnace may be, for example, a blast furnace.
- the steelmaking furnace may be, for example, an electric arc furnace, a basic oxygen furnace, and the like.
- the briquette is added to the charge in a steelmaking or ironmaking furnace, in such a manner that it is immersed within the charge.
- the briquette dissolves and reacts with the contents of the charge.
- the magnesium carbonate thermally decomposes into magnesium oxide (MgO) and carbon dioxide (CO 2 ).
- the magnesium oxide (MgO) produced is absorbed by the slag.
- the CO 2 produced has the effect of foaming the slag from underneath, as the location where the CO 2 is generated is buried within the charge.
- magnesium carbonate ore in absence of a binder, may be added in powdered or granular form to the charge of a steelmaking or ironmaking furnace for improving the quality of the slag.
- the dolime could be replaced with magnesium carbonate, which will produce CO 2 gas, with the foaming effect described above.
- the L.O.I. is mainly attributed to the decomposition of the dolomite and the binder used.
- the layer of CO and CO 2 produced will protect the bath from oxidation and enhance the carbon yield.
- the manufacturing process by which the briquette is formed has the effect of densification, with the following typical values: loose carbon prior to compression has a density of approximately 0.63 to 0.65 g/cm 3 . If a briquette is manufactured from the loose carbon only, the density can be raised into the range of 1.6 to 1.75 grams/cc. However, utilizing the formulation given at the beginning of this example, and compressing the formulation, will yield a density in the range of 2.4 to 2.6 grams/cc.
- the densification due to compression has the effect of increasing the efficiency of the carbon addition, since the carbon is allowed to penetrate the bath, rather than simply floating on top of the bath.
- the briquette was formed by providing a mixture of powdered magnesium carbonate ore and a binder, combined in a weight ratio of 90:10, and compressing the mixture in a suitable mold.
- the binder was a mixture of industrial molasses and powdered lime, combined in a weight ratio of 3:2.
- the briquette had a generally square shape and a size of 40 mm per side, with a density of 2.18 g/cm 3 and a white colour.
- the briquette had a L.O.I. value of 35.0%, which is mainly attributed to the decomposition of the magnesium carbonate and the binder.
- the L.O.I. value of the briquette is lower than the L.O.I. value of the powderized mixture of Example 3.
- the briquette was used during reactions in a 125 tonne electric arc furnace.
- a summary of the performance of the briquette (“Briquette A”) during the reactions is shown in Table 4.
- a summary of the performance of a standard conventional additive, namely crushed brick (“standard practice”), during the reactions is also shown:
- the use of Briquette A results in a reduction of the actual MgO added by about 35%, while advantageously increasing the average MgO in the slag by about 4.5%.
- the amount of MgO in the slag is about 34% higher when the Briquette A was added with the first charge (i.e. when little or no slag layer previously existed) than when the Briquette A was added with the second charge.
- the use of Briquette A results in a reduction of the iron content of the slag by more than 11%, as compared to standard practice. This may be attributed to the ability of the magnesium carbonate to rapidly decompose and contribute to or form the slag, which allows a protective barrier to more quickly form on the bath surface. As a result, less of the iron in the bath is oxidized during the reaction, which advantageously increases the yield of the reaction.
- the amount of power required for the reaction is lower when Briquette A is used, as compared to standard practice.
- Magnesium carbonate may alternatively be added to the charge in powderized form.
- a powderized mixture having the post-calcination composition shown in Table 7 was used:
- the powderized mixture had a density of 2.28 g/cm 3 and a white colour.
- the powderized mixture was used during a reaction in a 125 tonne electric arc furnace.
- the powderized mixture had a L.O.I. value of 51.1%. Notably, the L.O.I. value of the powderized mixture is greater than the L.O.I. value of the briquette of Example 2.
Abstract
A briquette for addition to the charge in a steelmaking or ironmaking furnace comprises a quantity of carbon fines, a material in powdered form, the material selected from the group consisting of iron powder and iron oxide, the material densifying the briquette and suppressing the slippery nature of the carbon fines, a quantity of magnesium carbonate, and a binder.
Description
The present invention relates generally to ferrous metallurgy and in particular, to a composite briquette for a steelmaking or ironmaking furnace charge.
In the field of steelmaking, an electric furnace charge is typically made from scrap metal, carbon and fluxes such as lime and/or dolime, all in pieces having a minimum size of 0.5 inch.
It is known to add specific materials to a furnace charge in the form of briquettes. However, carbon, which is an essential part of the mixture of materials, is quite slippery in its powdered or comminuted form. Consequently, carbon is typically employed in a non-pulverized state, for example as coke. It would be of advantage to be able to utilize carbon “fines”, for example those recovered from a dust collector, and to recycle such fines in their powdered or dust state. A further problem relates to the density of carbon, which is quite low compared generally to the metals. For example, when carbon is added to the furnace via a charge bucket, it will tend to float on top of the liquid metal, thus decreasing the yield of carbon in solution in the steel.
Further, it would also be of advantage to improve the quality of the slag through the addition of the briquette.
Improvements are generally desired. It is therefore an object at least to provide a novel composite briquette for steelmaking or ironmaking furnace charge.
In one aspect, there is provided a composite briquette for addition to the charge in a steelmaking or ironmaking furnace, the briquette comprising: a quantity of carbon fines; a material in powdered form, the material selected from the group consisting of iron powder and iron oxide, the material densifying the briquette and suppressing the slippery nature of the carbon fines; a quantity of magnesium carbonate; and a binder.
The briquette may comprise from 1 to 10% by weight of the binder. The briquette may further comprise one or more selected from the group consisting of: limestone, lime, dolomite, and dolime. The binder may comprise molasses and lime. 50% of the total briquette weight may be carbon fines, 25% of the total briquette weight may be iron powder, and the remainder of the total briquette weight, apart from the binder, may be magnesium carbonate and one or more selected from the group consisting of: limestone, lime, dolomite, and dolime. The furnace may be an electric arc furnace, a basic oxygen furnace, or a blast furnace.
In another aspect there is provided a method of improving the slag-covered charge in a steelmaking or ironmaking furnace, the method comprising: making a mixture of: a quantity of carbon fines, a material in powdered form selected from the group consisting of iron powder and iron oxide, the material densifying the briquette and suppressing the slippery nature of the carbon fines, a quantity of magnesium carbonate, and a binder; compressing a portion of said mixture in a suitable mold to make a briquette; and introducing said briquette to the charge below the slag in the steelmaking or ironmaking furnace so that said material in powdered form contained in the briquette will cause the same to sink into the charge.
The mixture may comprise from 1 to 10% by weight of the binder. The mixture may further comprise one or more selected from the group consisting of: limestone, lime, dolomite, and dolime. The binder may comprise molasses and lime. 50% of the total briquette weight may be carbon fines, 25% of the total briquette weight may be iron powder, and the remainder of the total briquette weight, apart from the binder, may be magnesium carbonate and one or more selected from the group consisting of: limestone, lime, dolomite, and dolime. The material may be iron powder, whereby upon introducing the briquette to the charge, CO2 is generated such that the CO2 foams the slag from underneath. The material may be iron oxide, whereby upon introducing the briquette to the charge, caloric heat is added thereto while iron and CO2 are generated, such that the CO2 foams the slag from underneath. The furnace may be an electric arc furnace, a basic oxygen furnace, or a blast furnace.
In another aspect, there is provided a composite briquette for addition to the charge in a steelmaking or ironmaking furnace, the briquette comprising: at least 70% magnesium carbonate; and a binder.
The briquette may comprise from 1 to 20% by weight of the binder. The binder may comprise molasses and lime. The briquette, after calcining, may further comprise one or more substances selected from the group consisting of: CaO, Al2O3, SiO2, and Fe2O3. The briquette may comprise about 90% by weight magnesium carbonate and about 10% by weight of the binder. The furnace may be an electric arc furnace, a basic oxygen furnace, or a blast furnace.
In another aspect, there is provided a method of improving the slag-covered charge in a steelmaking or ironmaking furnace, the method comprising: introducing a quantity of magnesium carbonate to the charge below the slag in the steelmaking or ironmaking furnace, whereby upon introducing the quantity of magnesium carbonate to the charge, CO2 is generated, such that the CO2 foams the slag from underneath.
The quantity of magnesium carbonate may be a powderized mixture. The powderized mixture, after calcining, may further comprise one or more substances selected from the group consisting of: CaO, Al2O3, SiO2, and Fe2O3.
The quantity of magnesium carbonate may be combined with a binder, and the method may further comprise: prior to said introducing, compressing said quantity of magnesium carbonate and said binder in a suitable mold to make a briquette, wherein said introducing comprises introducing said briquette to the charge below the slag in the steelmaking or ironmaking furnace. The briquette may comprise about 90% by weight magnesium carbonate and about 10% by weight of the binder. The briquette, after calcining, may further comprise one or more substances selected from the group consisting of: CaO, Al2O3, SiO2, and Fe2O3. The binder may comprise molasses and lime.
The furnace may be an electric arc furnace, a basic oxygen furnace, or a blast furnace.
The following is directed to a composite briquette for addition to the charge in a steelmaking or ironmaking furnace, and which comprises magnesium carbonate (MgCO3).
Magnesium carbonate is known to thermally decompose at a lower temperature than dolomite (CaMg(CO3)2) and limestone (CaCO3). Specifically, MgCO3 thermally decomposes into magnesium oxide (MgO) and carbon dioxide (CO2) at about 402° C., while CaMg(CO3)2 and CaCO3 each thermally decompose into their constituent oxides at about 730° C. and about 825° C., respectively. As a result, when added to the charge in a steelmaking or ironmaking furnace, magnesium carbonate thermally decomposes more quickly, and more readily, than limestone or dolomite.
Table 1 shows a non-limiting example of a mixture from which a suitable briquette can be fashioned:
TABLE 1 | ||||
Carbon | C | 50% | ||
Powdered iron | Fe | 25% | ||
Magnesium carbonate | MgCO3 | 25% | ||
Total | 100% | |||
In the table above, deviations from the indicated percentages may occur, up to about 5% to either side of the indicated level. The ingredients may be combined with a suitable binder, such as for example industrial molasses and powdered lime, and the binder may make up 1 to 20%, or more, of the total weight of the briquette.
The example illustrated in Table 1 specifies powdered iron. However, this teaching is not intended to be restrictive, as it is possible to use one or more of iron, iron oxide, chromium, chromium oxide, nickel, and nickel oxide to achieve the same effect. If iron oxide is used, the reaction products will be iron and CO2 gas, as well as caloric heat that results from burning of the iron oxide. The iron will revert to the bath, thus increasing its yield.
The magnesium carbonate could be combined with limestone and/or dolomite, each of which will produce CO2 gas with the same effect as above. Dolime, lime, and/or magnesium oxide may also be included.
The ironmaking furnace may be, for example, a blast furnace. The steelmaking furnace may be, for example, an electric arc furnace, a basic oxygen furnace, and the like.
In use, the briquette is added to the charge in a steelmaking or ironmaking furnace, in such a manner that it is immersed within the charge. The briquette dissolves and reacts with the contents of the charge. The powdered iron reverts to the bath, thus increasing its yield. The magnesium carbonate thermally decomposes into magnesium oxide (MgO) and carbon dioxide (CO2). The magnesium oxide (MgO) produced is absorbed by the slag. The CO2 produced has the effect of foaming the slag from underneath, as the location where the CO2 is generated is buried within the charge.
As will be appreciated, the low decomposition temperature of magnesium carbonate advantageously allows the slag thickness to be increased more rapidly than, and with less energy consumption than, other substances such as limestone, dolomite, and the like. As will be understood, the rapid formation of a thick slag decreases the amount of oxidation of iron in the bath, which improves of the yield of the reaction. Additionally, if the steelmaking furnace is an electric arc furnace, the increased thickness of the slag advantageously causes the arc to be more localized within the bath and under the slag, which improves efficiency of the electric arc furnace and thereby allows melt times to be shortened. These performance characteristics help mitigate the environmental impact of steelmaking and ironmaking operations, and conserve resources.
As will be appreciated, the accompanying production of CO2 gas that occurs upon decomposition of magnesium carbonate causes bubbling under the surface of the bath, which advantageously causes mixing and improves the quality of the slag, and namely the foaminess, consistency and stability of the slag.
As will be appreciated, the addition of MgO to the slag advantageously results in formation of a protective layer of MgO on the walls of the furnace. As will be understood, as the melt is being drained from the furnace, the slag contacts the wall surfaces of the furnace and deposits a layer of MgO thereon. As a result, a new protective refractory coating is automatically deposited on the walls of the furnace with each use, which eliminates the need for separate application of a protective wall coating that would otherwise form part of routine furnace maintenance.
The briquette is not limited to the composition described above, and in other embodiments, the briquette may alternatively have other compositions. For example, in another embodiment, magnesium carbonate may be added to the charge of a steelmaking or ironmaking furnace for improving the quality of the slag.
For example, powdered magnesium carbonate ore may be combined with a suitable binder, such as for example industrial molasses and powdered lime, and compressed in a suitable mold to make a briquette. The binder may make up 1 to 20%, or more, of the total weight of the briquette.
The magnesium carbonate could be combined with one or more other substances. Such substances may comprise, for example, limestone and/or dolomite, each of which will produce CO2 gas upon decomposition, and/or any of dolime, lime, and magnesium oxide. Still other substances may be combined with the magnesium carbonate.
The ironmaking furnace may be, for example, a blast furnace. The steelmaking furnace may be, for example, an electric arc furnace, a basic oxygen furnace, and the like.
In use, the briquette is added to the charge in a steelmaking or ironmaking furnace, in such a manner that it is immersed within the charge. The briquette dissolves and reacts with the contents of the charge. The magnesium carbonate thermally decomposes into magnesium oxide (MgO) and carbon dioxide (CO2). The magnesium oxide (MgO) produced is absorbed by the slag. The CO2 produced has the effect of foaming the slag from underneath, as the location where the CO2 is generated is buried within the charge.
In another embodiment, magnesium carbonate ore, in absence of a binder, may be added in powdered or granular form to the charge of a steelmaking or ironmaking furnace for improving the quality of the slag.
The following examples illustrate various applications of the above-described embodiments.
In this example, a briquette having the composition shown in Table 2 was made:
TABLE 2 | |||
Carbon | 43.7% | ||
Fe | 22.5% | ||
CaO | 12.2% | ||
MgO | 6.6% | ||
S | 2.9% | ||
L.O.I. | 12.1% | ||
The dolime could be replaced with magnesium carbonate, which will produce CO2 gas, with the foaming effect described above.
The L.O.I. is mainly attributed to the decomposition of the dolomite and the binder used. The layer of CO and CO2 produced will protect the bath from oxidation and enhance the carbon yield.
The manufacturing process by which the briquette is formed has the effect of densification, with the following typical values: loose carbon prior to compression has a density of approximately 0.63 to 0.65 g/cm3. If a briquette is manufactured from the loose carbon only, the density can be raised into the range of 1.6 to 1.75 grams/cc. However, utilizing the formulation given at the beginning of this example, and compressing the formulation, will yield a density in the range of 2.4 to 2.6 grams/cc.
The densification due to compression has the effect of increasing the efficiency of the carbon addition, since the carbon is allowed to penetrate the bath, rather than simply floating on top of the bath.
In this example, a briquette having the post-calcination composition shown in Table 3 was made:
TABLE 3 | |||
MgO | 92.19% | ||
CaO | 2.46% | ||
Al2O3 | 0.85% | ||
SiO2 | 2.58% | ||
TiO2 | 0.14% | ||
Fe2O3 | 0.71% | ||
Cr2O3 | 0.02% | ||
MnO | 0.05% | ||
S | <0.001% | ||
Moisture | 1.0% | ||
Total | 100% | ||
The briquette was formed by providing a mixture of powdered magnesium carbonate ore and a binder, combined in a weight ratio of 90:10, and compressing the mixture in a suitable mold. The binder was a mixture of industrial molasses and powdered lime, combined in a weight ratio of 3:2.
The briquette had a generally square shape and a size of 40 mm per side, with a density of 2.18 g/cm3 and a white colour. The briquette had a L.O.I. value of 35.0%, which is mainly attributed to the decomposition of the magnesium carbonate and the binder. Notably, the L.O.I. value of the briquette is lower than the L.O.I. value of the powderized mixture of Example 3.
The briquette was used during reactions in a 125 tonne electric arc furnace. A summary of the performance of the briquette (“Briquette A”) during the reactions is shown in Table 4. For comparison, a summary of the performance of a standard conventional additive, namely crushed brick (“standard practice”), during the reactions is also shown:
TABLE 4 | ||||
Standard | ||||
Practice | Briquette A | difference | ||
Number of Heats | 44 | 11 | |
Quantity added (lbs) | 3500 | 3500 | |
Actual MgO added (lbs) | 3220 | 2100 | −34.78% |
Average MgO in solution | 8.79 ± 1.75 | 9.20 ± 1.88 | +4.66% |
(%) | |||
Briquette A with 1st charge | 10.69 ± 1.80 | ||
(%) | |||
Briquette A with 2nd charge | 7.95 ± 0.62 | ||
(%) | |||
As may be seen, the use of Briquette A results in a reduction of the actual MgO added by about 35%, while advantageously increasing the average MgO in the slag by about 4.5%. The amount of MgO in the slag is about 34% higher when the Briquette A was added with the first charge (i.e. when little or no slag layer previously existed) than when the Briquette A was added with the second charge.
The decomposition of magnesium carbonate within Briquette A produces fine, active MgO particles, which are absorbed by the slag. It was observed that when Briquette A was added and the briquettes penetrated the slag so as to be buried in the charge, tiny bubbles of CO2 were seen to form.
The average composition of the slag after the reactions, by weight percent, is shown in Table 5:
TABLE 5 | ||||
Standard | ||||
Practice | Briquette A | difference | ||
CaO | 36.07 ± 3.72 | 36.41 ± 3.04 | +0.93% |
Al2O3 | 6.99 ± 1.98 | 7.68 ± 0.99 | +9.87% |
SiO2 | 11.83 ± 3.75 | 13.23 ± 1.44 | +11.83% |
Fe2O3 | 27.71 ± 7.32 | 24.59 ± 5.53 | −11.26% |
Mn2O3 | 5.46 ± 1.03 | 5.31 ± 0.37 | −2.82% |
As may be seen, the use of Briquette A results in a reduction of the iron content of the slag by more than 11%, as compared to standard practice. This may be attributed to the ability of the magnesium carbonate to rapidly decompose and contribute to or form the slag, which allows a protective barrier to more quickly form on the bath surface. As a result, less of the iron in the bath is oxidized during the reaction, which advantageously increases the yield of the reaction.
During the test, 22 heats were carried out using crushed brick, followed by 11 heats carried out using Briquette A, followed by 22 heats carried out using crushed brick. The operational performance of the 125 tonne electric arc furnace before, during, and after the addition of Briquette A is shown in Table 6:
TABLE 6 | |||||
Standard | Standard | Standard | |||
Practice | Practice | Practice | |||
(before test) | (after test) | (avg) | Briquette A | ||
Power usage | 427.0 ± 24.1 | 428.0 ± 14.4 | 427.5 | 420.0 ± 9.9 |
(KWh/T) | ||||
As may be seen, the amount of power required for the reaction is lower when Briquette A is used, as compared to standard practice.
Magnesium carbonate may alternatively be added to the charge in powderized form. A powderized mixture having the post-calcination composition shown in Table 7 was used:
TABLE 7 | |||
MgO | 97.0% | ||
CaO | 2.0% | ||
Al2O3 | 0.2% | ||
SiO2 | 0.3% | ||
Fe2O3 | 0.5% | ||
Total | 100% | ||
The powderized mixture had a density of 2.28 g/cm3 and a white colour.
The powderized mixture was used during a reaction in a 125 tonne electric arc furnace.
The powderized mixture had a L.O.I. value of 51.1%. Notably, the L.O.I. value of the powderized mixture is greater than the L.O.I. value of the briquette of Example 2.
Although embodiments have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, those of skill in the art will appreciate that variations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope thereof as defined by the appended claims.
Claims (15)
1. A composite briquette for addition to the charge in a steelmaking furnace, the briquette comprising:
a quantity of carbon fines;
a quantity of iron powder, the iron powder densifying the briquette and suppressing the slippery nature of the carbon fines;
a quantity of magnesium carbonate;
a quantity of limestone; and
a binder.
2. The briquette of claim 1 , wherein the briquette comprises from 1 to 10% by weight of the binder.
3. The briquette of claim 1 , wherein the binder comprises molasses and lime.
4. The briquette of claim 1 , wherein 50% of the total briquette weight is carbon fines, 25% of the total briquette weight is iron powder, and the remainder of the total briquette weight, apart from the binder, is magnesium carbonate and limestone.
5. The briquette of claim 1 , wherein the steelmaking furnace is an electric arc furnace or a basic oxygen furnace.
6. Use of the briquette of claim 1 as addition to the charge in the steelmaking furnace, the furnace being an electric arc furnace or a basic oxygen furnace.
7. A method of improving the slag-covered charge in a steelmaking furnace, the method comprising:
making a mixture of: a quantity of carbon fines, a quantity of iron powder; a quantity of magnesium carbonate, a quantity of limestone, and a binder;
compressing a portion of said mixture in a suitable mold to make a briquette, the iron powder densifying the briquette and suppressing the slippery nature of the carbon fines; and
introducing said briquette to the charge below the slag in the steelmaking furnace so that said quantity of iron powder contained in the briquette will cause the same to sink into the charge.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the mixture further comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of: lime, dolomite, and dolime.
9. The method of claim 7 , wherein 50% of the total briquette weight is carbon fines, 25% of the total briquette weight is iron powder, and the remainder of the total briquette weight, apart from the binder, is magnesium carbonate and one or more selected from the group consisting of: limestone, lime, dolomite, and dolime.
10. The method of claim 7 , whereby upon introducing the briquette to the charge, CO2 is generated such that the CO2 foams the slag from underneath.
11. The method of claim 7 , wherein the furnace is selected from an electric arc furnace and a basic oxygen furnace.
12. A composite briquette for addition to the charge in a steelmaking furnace, the briquette comprising:
at least 85% magnesium carbonate; and
the remainder of the briquette weight being a binder, the binder comprising molasses and lime.
13. The briquette of claim 12 , wherein the briquette comprises about 90% by weight magnesium carbonate and about 10% by weight of the binder.
14. The briquette of claim 12 , wherein the furnace is an electric arc furnace or a basic oxygen furnace.
15. Use of the briquette of claim 12 as addition to the charge in the steelmaking furnace, the furnace being an electric arc furnace or a basic oxygen furnace.
Priority Applications (6)
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US14/289,960 US9499878B2 (en) | 2014-05-29 | 2014-05-29 | Composite briquette for steelmaking or ironmaking furnace charge |
CN201410287068.2A CN105219465A (en) | 2014-05-29 | 2014-06-24 | For making steel or the composite briquette of iron-smelting furnace charging |
US14/472,579 US9499755B2 (en) | 2014-05-29 | 2014-08-29 | Composite briquette for steelmaking or ironmaking furnace charge |
EP14184581.8A EP2949765B1 (en) | 2014-05-29 | 2014-09-12 | Composite briquette and method for making a steelmaking furnace charge |
ES14184581T ES2728048T3 (en) | 2014-05-29 | 2014-09-12 | Composite briquette and method for manufacturing a steelmaking furnace load |
TR2019/08323T TR201908323T4 (en) | 2014-05-29 | 2014-09-12 | Composite briquette and method for making steelmaking furnace load. |
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US14/289,960 US9499878B2 (en) | 2014-05-29 | 2014-05-29 | Composite briquette for steelmaking or ironmaking furnace charge |
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CN108330276A (en) * | 2018-01-30 | 2018-07-27 | 铜陵有色金属集团股份有限公司 | Method for preparing high-purity iron powder using iron vitriol slag and products thereof and application |
CN110106299B (en) * | 2019-05-23 | 2020-09-15 | 东北大学 | Blast furnace smelting method of vanadium titano-magnetite |
CN110724815B (en) * | 2019-09-30 | 2021-05-28 | 鞍钢股份有限公司 | Pellet magnesium-based composite binder and preparation and use methods thereof |
CN111718772B (en) * | 2020-05-28 | 2023-10-27 | 河北金丰新材料科技有限公司 | Drying-free adhesive and preparation method thereof |
CN113528740A (en) * | 2021-06-30 | 2021-10-22 | 河钢股份有限公司承德分公司 | Preparation method and preparation device of high-vanadium coolant |
CN114231329B (en) * | 2022-01-13 | 2022-08-16 | 鞍钢股份有限公司 | Iron powder composite fuel and preparation and application methods thereof |
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US3804648A (en) * | 1970-12-11 | 1974-04-16 | Ici Ltd | Graphite compositions |
US3923526A (en) * | 1972-07-22 | 1975-12-02 | Aikoh Co | Heat-insulating board for covering the top surface of a feeder head |
US4042410A (en) * | 1975-11-12 | 1977-08-16 | Aikoh Co., Ltd. | Method for defoaming molten slag |
US20070051200A1 (en) * | 2005-09-08 | 2007-03-08 | Pierre Vayda | Composite briquettes for electric furnace charge, and in their method of use |
US20070266824A1 (en) * | 2006-05-19 | 2007-11-22 | Stein Joseph L | Using a slag conditioner to beneficiate bag house dust from a steel making furnace |
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NL7306342A (en) * | 1973-05-07 | 1974-11-11 | ||
DE10149465B4 (en) * | 2001-10-08 | 2004-01-08 | Badische Stahl-Engineering Gmbh | MgO-containing composition and method for adjusting slags |
US7914599B2 (en) * | 2004-11-17 | 2011-03-29 | Ism, Inc. | Slag conditioner composition, process for manufacture and method of use in steel production |
CN102162020B (en) * | 2010-02-23 | 2013-05-15 | 宝山钢铁股份有限公司 | Foaming agent for electrosmelting of stainless steel and using method thereof |
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2014
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Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US3804648A (en) * | 1970-12-11 | 1974-04-16 | Ici Ltd | Graphite compositions |
US3923526A (en) * | 1972-07-22 | 1975-12-02 | Aikoh Co | Heat-insulating board for covering the top surface of a feeder head |
US4042410A (en) * | 1975-11-12 | 1977-08-16 | Aikoh Co., Ltd. | Method for defoaming molten slag |
US20070051200A1 (en) * | 2005-09-08 | 2007-03-08 | Pierre Vayda | Composite briquettes for electric furnace charge, and in their method of use |
US20070266824A1 (en) * | 2006-05-19 | 2007-11-22 | Stein Joseph L | Using a slag conditioner to beneficiate bag house dust from a steel making furnace |
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CN105219465A (en) | 2016-01-06 |
EP2949765B1 (en) | 2019-03-06 |
US20150344989A1 (en) | 2015-12-03 |
EP2949765A1 (en) | 2015-12-02 |
TR201908323T4 (en) | 2019-06-21 |
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